Curated OER
The Kingdoms
Students review the various categories in taxonomy. In groups, they identify the characteristics of each kingdom and compare and contrast them. They define the terms binomial nomenclature and morphology. To end the lesson plan, they...
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Cell Types and Parts
Eighth graders, after creating a Venn Diagram comparing/contrasting animal and plant cells, writing ten similes describing cell types, or drawing a colored diagram of a cell, list cell types as well as describe and label cell parts. They...
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DNA Model
High schoolers are able to construct a candy model of DNA. They are able to list all of the parts of DNA that they investigated earlier. Students are able to describe what each part of DNA does. They create an edible model of DNA...
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Natural Selection
Students estimate how many different species of organisms inhabit the Earth. In groups, they match the pictures of embryos at the different stages of development. They compare and contrast animals from the sky, land, and water and...
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Introduction to Formal English
Ninth graders brainstorm different situations in which formal English is used. Individually, they describe how people would act if they were invited to the White House for dinner and what they would do. To end the lesson, they role...
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Punnett Squares
Eighth graders take a short quiz on genotypes and phenotypes. As a class, they are introduced to the concept of Punnett Squares and listen to a description of Gregor Mendel's pea experiment. In groups, they complete Punnett Squares to...
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Genetics 5 Technology
Students, after studying extraction and gel electrophoresis, recombinant DNA, transgenic organisms, and reproductive cloning, summarize the main concepts in DNA technology. They analyze the applications of DNA: forensics, medicine,...
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Simple Machines
Middle schoolers engage in a lesson plan that is concerned with the concept of a simple machine and uses the law of motion to justify why they operate. Students explore the laws by constructing some simple machines to illustrate the...
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Temperature Scales
Eighth graders explore how to read a thermometer. They convert temperature between Celsius, Fahrenheit and Kelvin. Students explain that Celsius is used in the Scientific community and Fahrenheit is used basically only in the United...
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Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
Students identify the physical and chemical properties of matter. They review the types of matter. Students list the four states of matter (Solid, Liquid, Gas and Plasma). They recognize and describe the different types of matter.
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pH Scale, acids and bases
Eighth graders define the pH scale, acids and bases. They distinguish between acidic and basic solutions using litmus paper. Students review simple chemical formulas. They define the subscript and coefficient in terms of chemical...
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Adding Creativity to Science Inquiry
Young scholars investigate friction by manipulating some of the variables affecting it. In this inquiry lesson, students design their own experiment. They create a video about it and share it to class.
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Frequency Tables and Stem-and-Leaf Plots
Students are introduced to the function of frequency tables and stem and leaf plots. In groups, they determine the frequency of their teacher coughing, ringing a bell or raising their hand. To end the lesson, they determine frequency...
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Using History to Teach Tolerance: A Ripple of Hope
Students investigate the prejudice and racism that has existed in the U.S. for centuries by attending a field trip. In this equality instructional activity, students visit the Tolerance Museum and discuss the history of the U.S....
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Area of Rectangles and Triangles
Eighth graders practice calculating the perimeter of different shapes. As a class, they work together to calculate the area of rectangles and triangles using the proper formula. To end the lesson, they determine how many feet are in a...
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Area of Composite Polygon
Eighth graders are shown a blueprint of a house and must determine the amount of carpet needed. In groups, they calculate the area of rectangles and triangles and apply them to the shapes in the blueprint. To end the lesson plan, they...
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Genetics 4 Mutations
Students identify and illustrate how changes in DNA cause mutations and evaluate the significance of these changes. They illustrate a chromosomal mutation such as duplication, deletion, inversion, and translocation.
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Genetics -- Midway Review
Young scholars spend the instructional activity reviewing for their Genetics exam. In groups, they compare and contrast the structures of DNA and RNA and discuss how DNA can cause mutations. To end the instructional activity, they...
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Monohybrid Crosses
High schoolers define the terms monohybrid cross and Punnett Square. As a class, they discuss the Law of Segregation and probability to complete a practice problem. To end the lesson, they predict the probability of certain types of...
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Sex-Linked Genes
Students review the concepts of incomplete dominance, co-dominance and multiple alleles. As a class, they are introduced to the concept of sex-linked genes and how they are passed to offspring. To end the lesson, they examine possible...
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Pedigrees
High schoolers examine various inheritance patterns using pedigrees. In groups, they predict what might happen to the offspring of a woman with normal vision and carries the recessive allele gene. They determine the genotypes of the...
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Plants
Student identify the characteristics of plants. Through hands-on demonstration, they create a model of plant parts. Students differentiate between the major divisions of the plant kingdom with a particular emphasis on the vascular and...
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Invertebrates
Students identify the characteristics common to all animals. In groups, they compare the characteristics between the animals and how they are divided. To end the lesson, they compare the eight phyla of invertebrates and review the...
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Natural Selection II
Students participate in a discussion about the three types of natural selection. In groups, they identify examples of adaptations from photographs. To end the lesson, they analyze results of natural selection in adaptation, behaviors...